The University has been funded by the State of Florida to promote and develop a strong UF and Florida-wide academic
research presence in the U.S. space program. This effort has been
focused through the Interdisciplinary Program Development Office
and involves a variety of activities ranging from networking with
NASA program managers, universities and industry, development of
joint programs, proposal development, multi-university
collaboration, and many more.
The goals of this organization
include the following:
Provide the visibility and promotional activities of space
research here at UF and statewide;
Continue to support the current informal “space programs”
function, in the identification and development of proposals;
Draw together the existing UF faculty with strong common
interest in space research;
Enhance and strengthen existing programs at UF through
sharing research ideas, resources, technical expertise, and
collaboration across departmental and college boundaries and
specialized equipment;
Develop new areas of research that are interesting to the
faculty and relevant to external constituencies;
Encourage cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary
approaches to teaching and research, provide more relevant focus
for service to external and internal constituencies and assist
in managing complex interdisciplinary research activities;
Work with industry and research organizations to partner on
NASA, DOD, and other space activities and promote joint
proposals among its members for funding from outside agencies.
The broader knowledge and expertise of several members will strengthen funding prospects;
Support the UF publicity efforts involving space events in
Florida and nationally; and
Support the education and outreach functions for NASA
programs across UF.
